Karterud feels comfortable

There, in the South end, on either side of the board that keeps track of shots on goal, you'll see the flags of Russia and Norway displayed.

Jorgen Karterud noticed the Norwegian flag shortly after entering the arena for the first time in late August.

“That's something special to me and it meant a lot to me to see it hanging there,” said the 19-year-old (1994 birth year), the first player from Norway ever to don a Soo Greyhounds uniform. “It made me feel welcomed.”

Which is exactly what the Hounds intended.

Beginning in 2011, when Kyle Dubas took over as general manager, the Greyhounds have displayed flags representing the birth countries of their import players.

While Karterud, a native of Oslo, was chosen in the first round (35th overall) of the 2013 Canadian Hockey League Import Draft, Moscow native Sergey Tolchinsky was grabbed in the first round (12th overall) of the 2012 Import Draft.

Karterud's teammates also tried to smooth his transition to living in another country.

Rookie winger Nick Pastorious, who billets with Karterud at the home of Fiore and Laurie Giunti, introduced him to the Soo players and showed him around town.

Feeling comfortable in his new surroundings is making it easier for him to adjust to the Ontario Hockey League, Karterud said.

“I like it here and playing in Canada is a dream come true,” said Karterud, a six-foot-four, 198-pound right-winger.

With seven goals during the 2012-2013 campaign, Karterud tied for the most goals by a junior-aged forward in Norway's Get Ligaen, the top men's league in the country.

As well, with the Valerenga U20 club, Karterud had 13 goals and 21 assists in 16 regular season games and 14 goals and four assists in six playoff contests.

And three times, he's represented Norway at international tournaments.

He admits to missing his parents, Morten and Hanna, along with family and friends. But social media keeps them close.

“I'm 19-years-old now and this was the right time to play in Canada,” said Karterud, who spoke of his career goal, which is to one day play in the NHL.

Very few Norwegians have ever made it onto hockey's biggest stage.

Winger Mats Zuccarello has played parts of the last three seasons for the New York Rangers.

Dubas also spoke of how his newest import player is adjusting much faster than many might have expected.

“He came into training camp right away and showed speed and skill,” the GM noted. “We're pretty happy. We think he's going to be a nice player for us.”

Karterud said he's working harder with the Hounds than he's ever worked before.

He also couldn't help but be impressed by the Sault's hockey atmosphere, calling it “incredible.”

Karterud said the sport “is 10-times bigger here,” than what he's used to at home. “You can't find a better place to play.”

Asked about living in a smaller city (Oslo's metropolitan population is nearly 1.5 million), Karterud said the culture here is very comparable to what he's accustomed to.

Prior to the Import Draft, he instructed his agent to let junior teams know he would gladly report to Canada. His agent informed him the Soo was interested and he spoke of how he was excited then about the prospect of playing here.

“My goal is to develop as a player and learn the North American game,” Karterud said. “I want to do whatever I can to help the team win and do well in the playoffs.”

Having previously graduated high school, while attending a sports academy in Norway, Karterud isn't enrolled in school in the Sault.

Instead, determined to focus squarely on hockey, he comes to Essar Centre early each day to work out under the watchful eye of team physiotherapist Rich Rotenberg.

His goal is to get a lot stronger, enabling him to be more effective in a physical game.

“I've taken on the challenge of playing here pretty well so far, I think,” Karterud said. “I'm feeling more comfortable every day.”